US10015951B2 - Pet treat holder and safety device - Google Patents

Abstract

A pet treat holding device may comprise a head and a plurality of opposable arms. The plurality of opposable arms may be articulably attached to the head and movable between a first position and a second position. The arms may define a cavity configured to receive an end of an elongated treat such as a bully stick. The device may comprise a twist ring that threadedly engages the opposable arms and operates to secure the arms of the device around the inserted end of the elongated treat.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/987,054, entitled “PET TREAT HOLDER AND SAFETY DEVICE” filed on May 1, 2014, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present technology relates generally to a pet-related device, and, more particularly, to a molded pet treat holder that secures pet treats to prevent swallowing or choking and/or to reduce the amount of wasted treat.

BACKGROUND

Consumable and non-consumable pet toys or treats provide a variety of benefits for both pets and their handlers. Various types of toys and treats can encourage positive interaction and socialization between a pet and its handlers. Chewable pet toys and treats can provide pets with entertainment and relief from stress caused by separation anxiety, loneliness and boredom. Chewable pet toys and treats can also provide for enhanced dental prophylaxis and masticatory exercise, and relief from pain associated with teething. Treats such as bully sticks (i.e., bull pizzle), rawhide sticks and other chewable animal food products are popular consumable toys or treats for pets. However, pets often instinctively consume chewable objects, including both durable and consumable objects, in-part or in-whole. This can frequently lead to circumstances that are detrimental to the health of the pet.

Choking due to ingestion of chewable pet toys or treats by dogs is a common reason for emergency visits to animal hospitals and veterinarian offices. Although a minority of these cases results in death, emergency medical treatment is costly. Bully sticks and rawhide sticks can be particularly problematic due to their appealing taste and satisfying decomposition during extended chewing, with dogs often attempting to consume the entire treat rather than merely chewing on it. Extended chewing of bully sticks and rawhide can produce a soggy, gooey mass that, if swallowed, can lodge in a dog's throat or become impacted in the digestive tract, leading to choking, impaction, and other potentially life-threatening consequences. The more that the dog drinks or the dog's body produces saliva to try to dislodge the bully stick or rawhide, the more the mass swells, further exacerbating the problem. Additionally, dog's frequently attempt to swallow unchewed or partially-chewed ends of treat that they can no longer effectively grasp with their forepaws, creating an additional or greater risk due to the still-rigid nature and often unmanageable length of the incompletely-chewed end of the treat.

The cost of treats such as bully sticks and other consumable chew toys can deter pet owners from removing the end of the toy from their pets, as removing and discarding the short end that the pet is unable to effectively grasp and chew can frequently comprise a significant portion of the overall toy length. Some pet owners simply elect not to offer their pets consumable treats such as bully sticks or rawhide sticks due to safety concerns and/or cost considerations related to the portion of such treats that are difficult for the pet to chew and safely consume.

Various pet toys are available that can be used to hold treats or consumable chew toys. However, currently available toys do not securely hold a treat. Thus, improved treat holders and methods of securing pet treats are desirable.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, a pet treat holding device may comprise a head, a body, and a twist ring. The body may comprise a plurality of opposable arms. Each opposable arm may comprise a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of each arm may be operably attached to the head of the pet treat holding device. Each of the plurality of arms may be moveable between a first position and a second position. When each of the arms is in the second position, the plurality of arms may define a cavity comprising one of a cylindrical shape and a frustoconical shape. The cavity may have an opening at the distal end of the device. Each arm may have an interior surface and an exterior surface. The exterior surface of each arm may comprise a plurality of protrusions distributed longitudinally along the exterior surface of the arm. The twist ring may comprise an annular structure with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface may comprise a helical ridge with a first and second end. The helical ridge of the twist ring may be received by valleys defined by adjacent protrusions on an arm of the device. Rotational movement of the twist ring may translate the twist ring axially along the body of the device, with rotational movement of the twist ring in a first direction producing axial translation in a first axial direction, and rotational movement of the twist ring in a second axial direction producing axial translation in a second axial.

In various embodiments, the head and the body of the device may be unitary. The head and the body may comprise a plurality of materials. Each of the plurality of materials may be integrally joined. The plurality of materials may be joined by manufacturing the device using an overmolding process.

In various embodiments, a method of securing a treat in a safety device may comprise inserting a first end of a treat into a cavity of a safety device comprising a head, a plurality of arms, and a locking mechanism. The cavity may be defined by the plurality of arms. The plurality of arms may be closed around the first end of the treat. A locking mechanism may be secured around the plurality of arms. The locking mechanism may be secured by translating axially from the proximal end of the arms toward the distal end of the arms. The locking mechanism may be threadedly engaged to the plurality of arms, and translation of the locking mechanism may be accomplished by rotation of the locking mechanism. In various embodiments, a locking mechanism may be wrapped around the plurality of arms. The locking mechanism may produce an increased compression force within the arms, with the increased compression force producing an increased static friction force between a portion of the interior surface of the plurality of arms and a portion of the surface of the treat inserted in the cavity.

In various embodiments, a method of manufacturing a pet treat holding device may comprise form an arm support component from a first material. An arm lining component comprising a second material may be attached to the arm support component. A plurality of arms may be attached to a head. The plurality of arms and the head may comprise a third material configured to be elastically deformable. Each of the plurality of arms may be configured to be independently articulable relative to the head. The arm support component may be formed by injection molding. The arm lining component may be attached to the arm support component by a first overmolding step. A second overmolding step may be used to form the exterior body component. The exterior body component comprising the exterior of the head and the arms may attach the plurality of arms to the head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a device in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate profile views of a device in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a device in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate views of a device in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate perspective views of devices in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a profile view of a device in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a perspective view of a device in accordance with various embodiments in relation to a treat;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate perspective views of a device in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a device in accordance with various embodiments showing the relative positions of various internal structures;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a device in accordance with various embodiments showing the relative positions of various internal structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration and their best mode. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the inventions, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical, chemical, and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact.

As used herein, a “treat,” “chew toy,” or “consumable chew toy” can include any chewable animal food products such as rawhide sticks and “bully sticks” or “pizzles” (treats derived from the penis of a bull or other large animal).

As used herein, “articulable” means capable of being articulated; joined or connected in a manner that allows movement.

With reference toFIG. 1A, a perspective view of adevice100 in accordance with various embodiments is shown. Thedevice100 can comprise ahead101 and abody102 comprising a plurality ofarms103.Device100 may have an elongated configuration extending along the axis marked A-A′, with A being located near a proximal end ofdevice100 towardhead101 and A′ being located near the distal end ofdevice100 toward distal ends ofarms103.Head101 can comprise a bulbous portion ofdevice100.Head101 can comprise a substantially spherical shape, as shown fordevice100. In various embodiments, devices may be configured with a head portion comprising other shapes, including any of a variety of geometric and irregular shapes. For example and with reference briefly toFIGS. 5A-5C, in various embodiments,devices500A,500B, or500C may be configured withhead portions501A,501B, and501C having various non-spherical geometric shapes. In various embodiments and as illustrated inFIG. 5A, a head of a device such ashead501A may also comprise a depression orcavity opening531A. Other shapes and configurations of a device head, including any of a variety of regular or irregular shapes and surface patterns, textures, or features are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. The head portion of a device may provide a pet with increased leverage or ability to manipulate the device with its forelegs and/or paws to enhance the pet's ability to chew on a treat secured by the device. In various embodiments, the configuration or features of a head portion may provide one or more flat surfaces or stabilizing features that may stabilize the head of a device when in contact with the surface of the ground or a floor. In various embodiments, the head portion may deter or prevent a pet from swallowing an end or portion of a treat secured in the device.

With reference again toFIG. 1A, eacharm103 can comprise aproximal end104 and adistal end105. Theproximal end104 of each arm can be operably or articulably attached to thehead101. Each of thearms103 may articulate at about the position of attachment to thehead101 and be movable between a first position and a second position. With reference now also toFIG. 2A, the first position may be an “open” position, with thedistal end105 of eacharm103 moved or deflected outward from axis A-A′. Referring now also toFIG. 2B, the second position may be a “closed” position, with thedistal end105 of eacharm103 moved radially inward relative to the first position, with the orientation of eacharm103 being substantially parallel to axis A-A′. In various embodiments, articulation of eacharm103 at about the position of attachment to thehead101 may be accomplished by flexion and/or elastic deformation of thematerials comprising device100 in the area of attachment of theproximal end104 of eacharm103 tohead101. Thus, the plurality ofarms103 are opposable, with each arm configured to articulate from the first position toward the second position, thereby moving toward each of theother arms103 ofbody102 in an opposable manner configured to apply compressive force to an object located in acavity108 defined by thearms103 when a twist ring or other securing mechanism is engaged, as described in greater detail below.

Referring again toFIG. 1, eacharm103 may comprise aninterior surface106 and anexterior surface107. The plurality ofarms103 may definecavity108 extending throughbody102 along the axis A-A′. In various embodiments,cavity108 may be open at the distal end ofbody102 andarms103 and closed at the proximal end.Cavity108 may extend intohead101, terminating in a depression inhead101 between the attachment points of proximal ends104 of arms103 (see, for example,depression430,FIG. 4B). The depression may have a frustoconical shape, a cylindrical shape, or other shape. In various other embodiments, a cavity may extend through the head of the device and be open on either end of the device. In accordance with various embodiments and as described in greater detail below,cavity108 may be configured to receive an elongated pet treat such as a rawhide stick or a bully stick, andarms103 definingcavity108 may be configured to close and be secured around the rawhide stick or bully stick incavity108.

With reference also toFIG. 2B, whenarms103 are in the second or “closed” position, surfaces106 ofarms103 may define acavity108 having one of a substantially cylindrical shape and a substantially conical shape. For example, in various embodiments,cavity108 may have a substantially frustoconical shape with a larger diameter toward theproximal end104 ofarms103 and a smaller diameter toward thedistal end105 ofarms103. For example,arms103 may define acavity108 with a substantially frustoconical shape having a smaller diameter toward the distal end ofbody102 due toarms103 each having an increased thickness (i.e., the radial dimension betweeninterior surface106 and exterior surface107) for a second axial position of anarm103 as compared to a first axial position of thearm103. A first axial position may be located toward theproximal end104 ofarm103 and a second axial position may be located toward the distal end105 (i.e., located distally to the first axial position), as described in greater detail below.

With continued reference toFIGS. 1-2B and with reference now also toFIG. 3, in various embodiments,device100 may further comprise atwist ring110.Twist ring110 may be configured to operatively engage a plurality ofprotrusions111 distributed axially along the length of theexterior surface107 of eacharm103. Each pair ofadjacent protrusions111 may be separated by a pitch (i.e., the distance between peaks of adjacent protrusions) and define avalley112.Twist ring110 may comprise an annular structure with aninterior surface313 and an exterior surface114. Interior surface113 may comprise a helical ridge115 with a first end116 and a second end117 offset from first end116. Eachvalley112 may be complementary to and configured to receive helical ridge115 oftwist ring110. Thus,twist ring110 may comprise an internally threaded nut, while the axially distributed protrusions located along the exterior surfaces ofarms103 comprise external threads ofbody102 that are engaged bytwist ring110.

In operation, rotation oftwist ring110 in a first rotational direction produces linear translation oftwist ring110 along the axis A-A′ in a first linear direction, such as in a distal direction toward the distal end ofdevice100. Rotation oftwist ring100 in a second rotational direction (i.e., the opposite direction of the first rotational direction) produces linear translation of the twist ring along the axis A-A′ in a second linear direction (i.e., the opposite direction of the first linear direction), such as toward the proximal end ofdevice100.

In various embodiments, eacharm103 may comprise a first radial dimension at a first axial position and a second radial dimension at a second radial position. For example and as described briefly above, the thickness of an arm103 (i.e., the radial dimension) may increase from a first thickness at a first axial position located toward theproximal end104 of thearm103 to a second thickness at a second axial position located toward thedistal end105 of thearm103. Thus, the first radial dimension at the first axial position may be less than the second radial dimension at the second axial position, producing an arm thickness that tapers from thinner to thicker in a distal direction along a portion of the axial length ofarm103. The tapered arm thickness configuration can define acavity108 with a frustoconical cavity shape whenarms103 are in the closed position (FIG. 2B), with the cavity decreasing in diameter from a first axial position alongbody102 to a second axial position distal to the first axial position.

In various embodiments, a component ofdevice100 that comprises theinterior surface106 ofarm103 may provide the tapered arm thickness configuration described above. For example and with reference now toFIG. 3, anarm103 ofdevice100 can comprise a plurality of components, such as asupport component320, interiorgripping component321, andexterior body component322. Alongitudinal slot326 may be defined througharm103 and/orexterior body component322.Interior gripping component321 may be configured with an increased radial thickness from aproximal end323 to adistal end324. Adevice100 comprising a plurality ofarms103 thus configured may therefore comprise a cavity with a frustoconical cavity shape with a decreasing cavity diameter when the arms are in the closed position, as described above.

Various other configurations of a device that may be used to secure a pet treat are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example and with reference toFIGS. 4A-4C, in various embodiments, adevice400 may comprisearms403, with each arm having an interiorgripping component421 of substantially uniform thickness such thatarms403 likewise have a substantially uniform radial thickness along the axial length of eacharm403 that also comprises interior gripping component421 (i.e., excluding the portion of the axial length of eacharm403 at the distal end that does not comprise interior gripping component). In various embodiments,device400 may also comprise adepression430 inhead401 located between the proximal ends ofarms403 as well as adepression431 in the proximal end ofhead401. Other surface features and configurations of a head of a device are possible within the scope of the present disclosure, as described elsewhere herein, for example, with reference toFIGS. 5A-5C.

Likewise, a device in accordance with various embodiments may be provided in a variety of sizes. For example, a device may be configured with an overall length of about 3 inches to about 4 inches and a diameter (at the head) of about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches, with a cavity diameter configured to receive and secure treats with nominal diameters of between about 0.75 inches and about 1.25 inches. In various embodiments, a device may be configured with dimensions scaled proportionately upward or downward in size to accommodate treats with larger diameters and smaller diameters. For example, a device may be configured with dimensions suitable to receive and secure treats with nominal diameters of between about 1.125 inches and about 1.625 inches, or a device may be configured with dimensions suitable to receive and secure treats with nominal diameters of between about 0.375 inches and about 0.875 inches. A device in accordance with various embodiments may have any of a variety of sizes and be configured to receive a treats having any of a variety of diameters.

In various embodiments, a device may comprise two sets of opposable arms. For example and as illustrated inFIG. 6, adevice600 may be configured to resemble two devices conjoined at their respective proximal ends, each having various features described above with respect todevice100 but having proportionally different sizes. Asingle device600 can thereby provide afirst body640 comprising a first plurality ofopposable arms643 and asecond body650 comprising a second plurality ofopposable arms653.Opposable arms643 comprisingfirst body640 may define afirst cavity648 having a first diameter that is greater than the diameter of asecond cavity658 defined byopposable arms653 comprisingsecond body650. In this manner, a single device can receive and secure treats having an increased range of treat diameters as compared to a device such asdevice100 comprising a single body and plurality of opposable arms.

Method of Use

In various embodiments, a device comprising various features described above may be used to secure a pet treat. With reference now toFIGS. 7A and 7B, a method of securing atreat790 usingdevice700 is illustrated.FIG. 7A shows atreat790 axially aligned withdevice700, with afirst end791 oftreat790 adjacent the opening ofcavity708 at the distal end ofdevice700.Twist ring710 is located at a proximal axial position andarms703 ofdevice700 are in an open position.First end791 oftreat790 may be inserted into the opening ofcavity708. As shown inFIG. 7B,arms703 may be closed around the first end oftreat790. In accordance with various embodiments, treat790 is not completely inserted within or enclosed bydevice700. Instead, a portion oftreat790 extends distally fromdevice700 whilefirst end791 oftreat790 is secured withindevice700, as described below. A locking mechanism such astwist ring710 may then be secured around the plurality ofarms703, securingfirst end791 oftreat790 incavity708 ofdevice700 due to the compressive force exerted on the inserteddistal end791 oftreat790 by the plurality ofarms703 and the locking mechanism. In various embodiments, securing locking mechanism can comprise translating a locking mechanism from the proximal ends of each of the plurality ofarms703 toward the distal ends of each of the plurality of arms. As described above, a locking mechanism such astwist ring710 may be threadedly engaged to the plurality ofarms703, and translating the locking mechanism may be accomplished by rotating the locking mechanism.

In various embodiments,twist ring710 can be removed over distal the distal end ofarms703. In various other embodiments, flange or other retention mechanism may be located near the distal ends ofarms703 so thattwist ring710 is not removable. For example, aflange719 may be configured to preventtwist ring710 from translation or removal over the distal ends of arms702.

In various embodiments, a treat (or an unchewed portion thereof) secured bydevice700 may be removed by reversing the locking mechanism, such as by rotatingtwist ring710 in the opposite direction of that required to translate thetwist ring710 in a distal direction.Arms703 may move to an open position as the locking mechanism is translated proximally. An unchewed portion of a treat may be easily removed due to the open configuration ofarms703 and replaced with a new treat.

In various embodiments, translating a locking mechanism may be accomplished by simply sliding the locking mechanism, followed by a partial rotation to engage a mechanism to prevent the locking mechanism from sliding in reverse. In various other embodiments, securing locking mechanism may comprise wrapping a locking mechanism around a plurality of arms, such as with anelastic strap870 that may be tightened and secured aroundarms803 ofdevice800, as illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8B.

As described in greater detail below, securing a locking mechanism may increase a compression force within at least one of a plurality of opposable arms. The increased compression force may produce an increased static friction force between a portion of an interior surface of one of the plurality of arms and a portion of the surface of the treat. The increased static friction force may provide for retention of the treat within the cavity of the safety device.

Materials and Methods of Manufacture

A device in accordance with various embodiments can comprise a plurality of materials. Each of the plurality of materials may provide different physical properties. For example and with reference again toFIGS. 1-3, each of the components ofarm103 ofdevice100 may comprise a different material. The material used forsupport component320 may be selected to provide secure engagement oftwist ring110 byprotrusions111 and distribution of compression force applied bytwist ring110 toarms103 along the axial length ofarms103. Thesupport component320 can comprise a relatively rigid polymer material, such as a thermoplastic polyurethane with Shore hardness of about 60 Shore D to about 90 Shore D. Likewise,twist ring110 may similarly comprise a rigid polymer material, such as Tecamid® ST Type 6/6 nylon (Ensinger Industries, Inc., Washington, Pa.) or similar material).

In various embodiments, support components of a device may comprise separate components, such assupport components320 ofdevice100 illustrated inFIG. 3, with further reference now also toFIG. 9. In various other embodiments and as illustrated inFIG. 10, support components may comprise a single, integrally formedsupport component1020, with the portions of each support component located in device arms1003 attached to one another by a joiningportion1029 located in thehead1001 ofdevice1000.

Referring again toFIGS. 3 and 9, interiorgripping component321 can comprise a soft, tacky material configured to conform to the shape of the external surface of the inserted treat as a compression force is applied, such as by axial translation of the twist ring. For example, the interior gripping component can comprise a rubber or polymer material with a Shore hardness of about 30 Shore A to about 60 Shore A suitable to provide elastic deformation of the gripping component under a compression force. In various embodiments, applying or increasing a compression force of anarm103 against a treat located incavity108 produces an increased static friction force between a portion of the interior surface of the arm and a portion of the surface of the treat that the arm is in contact with. The increase in static friction force provides for retention of the treat in thecavity108 ofdevice100 and increased resistance against movement of a treat relative todevice100 caused by a shear force between the treat anddevice100. In various embodiments, the material used for interiorgripping component321 and/or the configuration of the surface (e.g., surface texture configuration) may provide resistance to a decrease in static friction force due to wetting the interface between the surface of the interiorgripping component321 and the surface of the treat, for example, by pet saliva. For example, in various embodiments, the interior surface of interiorgripping component321 may comprise ridges or teeth arranged perpendicular to axis A-A′ to provide further static friction force between the interior surface of an arm and the portion of the surface of the chew to that the arm is in contact with.

Theexterior body component322 ofdevice100 can comprise a medium hard to hard rubber or polymer with a Shore hardness of from about 50 Shore A to about 90 Shore A to provide for durability. In various embodiments,head101 ofdevice100 may comprise the same material asexterior body component322, andhead101 andexterior body component322 may be integrally formed, providing a unitary construction ofhead101 andbody102. A material used forexterior body component322 ofdevice100 may provide the device with one or more physical properties including high durability, high tensile strength, and puncture resistance. Additionally, the material may be non-toxic to pets and provide dental massage and teeth cleaning benefits when chewed.

In various embodiments, a device need not comprise an interior gripping component that is separate fromexterior body component322. Instead,exterior body component322 mayoverlay support component320 and comprise both the interior surface and the exterior surface of eacharm103.

Methods of manufacturing a device in accordance with various embodiments are described in greater detail below.

In various embodiments, a method of manufacturing a pet treat holding device is provided. A method of manufacturing a device may comprise forming an arm support component. An arm support component may comprise a first material, as described above. In various embodiments, an arm support component may be injection molded from a thermoplastic material. An arm support component may comprise support component portions of a plurality of arms joined by a joiningportion1029, as described above with reference toFIG. 10.

A method of manufacturing a pet treat holding device may further comprise attaching an arm lining component to the arm support component. The arm lining component may comprise a second material, such as a material described above with respect to interiorgripping component321. In various embodiments, an arm lining component may be overmolded onto arm support component in a first overmolding step. In various other embodiments, an arm lining component may be manufactured separately from the arm support component and subsequently attached to an arm support component, such as by an adhesive, a friction fit, or other attachment means. Attaching an arm lining component to an arm support component may produce a lined device arm.

In various embodiments, a method of manufacturing a pet treat holding device may comprise attaching a plurality of arms to a head. Attaching a plurality of arms to a head may be performed in a second overmolding step. The second overmolding step may simultaneously form the head of a device and the exterior surface of each of the plurality of arms. In various embodiments, a third material may be used in the second overmolding step, such as a material described above with respect toexterior body component322 ofFIGS. 3 and 9. Thus, the head and each of the plurality of arms of a device may comprise a third material forming a unitary exterior body component, with the unitary exterior body component providing attachment of each of the plurality of arms to the head. In accordance with various embodiments, the exterior body component may be configured to be elastically deformable such that each of the plurality of arms may be independently articulable relative to the head. In various embodiments, a head of a device may comprise depression or cavity such asdepression531A (FIG. 5A). A depression or cavity may reduce the quantity of material used to manufacture a device, thereby reducing manufacturing cost, without negatively affecting the function or durability of the device.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the inventions. The scope of the inventions is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f), unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A pet treat holding device comprising:

a head;

a body comprising a plurality of opposable arms, each of the plurality of opposable arms comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of each of the plurality of opposable arms operably attached to the head,

wherein each of the plurality of opposable arms includes a longitudinal slot,

wherein each of the plurality of opposable arms is moveable between a first position and a second position,

wherein the plurality of opposable arms in the second position define a cavity comprising one of a cylindrical shape and a frustoconical shape, the cavity having an opening at a distal end of the device, and

wherein each of the plurality of opposable arms comprises an exterior surface,

a plurality of support components each comprising a plurality of protrusions and each including an internal gripping component that is configured to engage and grip a pet treat, and

wherein the protrusions pass through the longitudinal slot and exterior surface of each of the plurality of opposable arms; and

a twist ring configured to operatively engage the plurality of protrusions.

2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the twist ring comprises an annular structure with an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface comprises a helical ridge with a first end and a second end.

3. The device ofclaim 2, wherein adjacent protrusions of the plurality of protrusions define a valley between the adjacent protrusions.

4. The device ofclaim 3, wherein the valley is configured to receive the helical ridge of the twist ring.

5. The device ofclaim 4, wherein a first rotational movement of the twist ring in a first direction translates the twist ring in a first axial direction, and wherein a second rotational movement of the twist ring in a second direction translates the twist ring in a second axial direction.

6. The device ofclaim 5, wherein each opposable arm comprises a first radial dimension at a first axial position and a second radial dimension at a second axial position.

7. The device ofclaim 6, wherein the second axial position is distal to the first axial position, and wherein the second radial dimension is greater than the first radial dimension.

8. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the head and the body are unitary.

9. The device ofclaim 8, wherein the head and body are formed from a plurality of materials.

10. The device ofclaim 9, wherein each of the plurality of materials is integrally joined by an overmolding process.

11. The device ofclaim 9,

wherein the head and the exterior surface of each of the plurality of opposable arms are formed from a first material, wherein the interior surface is formed from a second material, and

wherein the plurality of protrusions are formed from a third material.

12. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the first material is different from the second material.

13. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the first material is different from the third material.

14. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the second material is different from the third material.

15. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the head defines a cavity that is configured to receive an end of a pet treat.

16. A pet treat holding device comprising:

a head;

a body comprising a first opposable arm and a second opposable arm, each of the first opposable arm and second opposable comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the first opposable arm and second opposable operably attached to the head,

wherein the first opposable arm includes a first longitudinal slot,

wherein the second opposable arm includes a second longitudinal slot,

wherein each of the first opposable arm and second opposable arm are movable between a first position and a second position,

wherein the first opposable arm and second opposable arm at least partially define a cavity comprising one of a cylindrical shape and a frustoconical shape, the cavity having an opening at a distal end of the device, and

wherein each of the first opposable arm and second opposable arm comprise an exterior surface;

a first support component comprising a plurality of first protrusions and a first internal gripping component that is configured to engage and grip a pet treat

wherein the first plurality of protrusions pass through the first longitudinal slot and exterior surface of the first opposable arm;

a second support component comprising a plurality of second protrusions and a second internal gripping component that is configured to engage and grip the pet treat;

wherein the second plurality of protrusions pass through the second longitudinal slot and exterior surface of the second opposable arm; and

a twist ring configured to operatively engage the plurality of protrusions.

17. The device ofclaim 16, wherein the twist ring comprises an annular structure with an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface comprises a helical ridge with a first end and a second end.

18. The device ofclaim 16, wherein adjacent protrusions of the plurality of first protrusions define a valley between the adjacent protrusions.

19. The device ofclaim 17, wherein the valley is configured to receive the helical ridge of the twist ring.

20. The device ofclaim 18,

wherein a first rotational movement of the twist ring in a first direction translates the twist ring in a first axial direction, and

wherein a second rotational movement of the twist ring in a second direction translates the twist ring in a second axial direction.

Images